Lance Armstrong withdraws from swimming event

Austin: Swimming’s International Federation raised objections to Lance Armstrong’s participation in the Masters South Central Zone Championships forcing him to withdraw from the event.

The U.S Anti-Doping Agency had banned Armstrong from sanctioned competition for life for his use of performance-enhancing drugs during a cycling career that included seven Tour de France titles.

U.S. Masters Swimming executive director Rob Butcher had said on Wednesday that Armstrong, who is a U.S. Masters Swimming member, would be allowed to compete in his 40-44 age group as the event did not fall under USADA drug testing rules.

But FINA, swimming`s international federation, sent a letter to U.S. Masters Swimming officials, saying that because U.S. Masters Swimming is under its umbrella as a sanctioning body, it must abide by the WADA code and bar Armstrong from participating.